Boxer and entertainer Manny Pacquiao has apologized for remarks he made about same-sex marriage to a conservative publication earlier this week – but insists he’ll never be a fan of the idea.

The Filipino fighter and politician incurred the wrath of gay groups and was banned from a Los Angeles shopping mall after telling the National Conservative Examiner that he was against the idea of gay marriage.

Pacquiao was quoted as saying: “God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married. It should not be of the same sex, so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.”

The boxer attempted to clarify his comments on his website, writing, “I’m not against gay people… We can’t help it if they were born that way. What I’m critical off (sic) are actions that violate the word of God. I only gave out my opinion that same sex marriage is against the law of God.”

But the remarks only served to fuel the wrath of his critics, and he was banned from conducting a TV interview at The Grove on Wednesday.

The Extra interview took place at one of Pacquiao’s Los Angeles homes instead, and during the chat with presenter Mario Lopez, the boxer said, “To the gay community, I apologize. I’m against same-sex marriage, but I’m not condemning you. My favorite (biblical) verse is ‘Love one another as you love yourself. Love your neighbor.’ So I love everybody!”